The PV3201 is a single output, dual or single phase digital synchronous buck controller with adaptive loop compensation, for point-of-load (POL) applications. The PV3201 complies with the Serial VID (SVID) portion of Intel’s VR12 specification in order to support Intel-based memory, graphics and similar applications. Through SVID, the CPU can dynamically control the output voltage, slew rates, power states, as well as monitor the VR controller for telemetry purposes. In parallel to SVID, the PV3201 also supports a set of PMBus commands, allowing a BMC in a server application to configure, control and monitor the VR controller.

When used in dual phase mode, phases may be added or removed as the load varies, so that efficiency is maximized over the load range. Additionally, the outputs of the phases are interleaved so that the effective switching frequency at the output is doubled. PV3201 uses Powervation’s proprietary adaptive digital control loop, Auto-Control, which adapts on a cycle-by-cycle basis, and provides active loop compensation to stabilize the control loop as the phases are added and removed.

The digital functionality of this VR controller allows system telemetry (remote measurement and reporting) of current, voltage, and temperature information through its serial interfaces. Additionally, to maximize system performance and reliability, the IC provides temperature correction/compensation of several parameters. PV3201 is a fully protected DC/DC solution that utilizes analog and digital functionality to maximize system protection.